United Houma Nation to raise money through $10,000 raffle

Published: Monday, December 10, 2012 at 8:27 p.m.

Last Modified: Monday, December 10, 2012 at 8:27 p.m.

The United Houma Nation is hoping locals will buy a chance in a $10,000 raffle to raise money for operations of the tribe’s main office.

The tribe is selling 300 tickets costing $100 each to raise money to cover utilities and other bills for its Golden Meadow office, which handles enrollment and is where the tribe’s records are stored and maintained.

This is the second time the tribe has held such a raffle. Last year was the first.

“We typically have grants to help run the office, but that’ll help for about half the year. Having this money will offset the cost of anything that may come up or if we run into a slump,” banquet chairman and tribe treasurer John Silver said.

By Monday morning about 270 tickets had been sold.

“We’re doing really well. So if people are planning to purchase tickets at the door, there probably won’t be any left,” Silver said.

The drawing of the winning ticket will be held at 4:30 p.m. Saturday at the Houma Municipal Auditorium, 800 Verret St. The winner does not need to be present to claim the prize.

There are non-cash prizes for the first, 50th, 100th, 150th, 200th and 250th ticket drawn. The 298th ticket drawn wins a Peyton Manning autographed football, and the 299th ticket pulled wins a Drew Brees autographed cleat. The last ticket pulled wins the $10,000 prize. For information or to buy tickets call 232-2732 or 223-3093.

The $100 ticket also allows admission for two to the 16th Annual United Houma Nation Banquet that starts at 6 p.m. and includes entertainment by Louisiana Express Band and Johnny Allen.

The event will begin with a ceremony, followed by a meal and then a reception. The United Houma Nation will give five awards to “honor and recognize people who have demonstrated commitment and have gone above and beyond for the tribe,” Silver said.

The awards are:

- Cultural Preservation.

- Education.

- Advocate.

- Leadership.

“The fifth and top award for the evening is the Pioneer Award for those who have given a lifetime of service to the tribe and have dedicated their entire life. It’s each of the other awards combined,” Silver said.

Three college scholarships worth $500 will also be given at the banquet. The financial aid is for tribal youth entering college.

“The raffle is, of course, very important to raise those funds we need for operation. So, for example, when people call there’s someone to answer the phone and they don’t get a recording,” United Houma Nations Chief Thomas Dardar said. “But besides the raffle, everybody works so hard during the year, and even though we’re still working during this event, it is one way to get together and have a good time. We honor our outstanding citizens in the tribe who, throughout the year, have stepped up. The banquet gives us time to fellowship and eat and dance to the band. There are other times we get together, but this is a relaxing time for us to laissez les bons temps rouler.”

Staff Writer Kris Johnson can be reached at 857-2207 or kris.johnson@houmatoday.com. Follow her on Twitter @krisLjo.

<p>The United Houma Nation is hoping locals will buy a chance in a $10,000 raffle to raise money for operations of the tribe's main office. </p><p>The tribe is selling 300 tickets costing $100 each to raise money to cover utilities and other bills for its Golden Meadow office, which handles enrollment and is where the tribe's records are stored and maintained. </p><p>This is the second time the tribe has held such a raffle. Last year was the first. </p><p>“We typically have grants to help run the office, but that'll help for about half the year. Having this money will offset the cost of anything that may come up or if we run into a slump,” banquet chairman and tribe treasurer John Silver said. </p><p>By Monday morning about 270 tickets had been sold. </p><p>“We're doing really well. So if people are planning to purchase tickets at the door, there probably won't be any left,” Silver said. </p><p>The drawing of the winning ticket will be held at 4:30 p.m. Saturday at the Houma Municipal Auditorium, 800 Verret St. The winner does not need to be present to claim the prize. </p><p>There are non-cash prizes for the first, 50th, 100th, 150th, 200th and 250th ticket drawn. The 298th ticket drawn wins a Peyton Manning autographed football, and the 299th ticket pulled wins a Drew Brees autographed cleat. The last ticket pulled wins the $10,000 prize. For information or to buy tickets call 232-2732 or 223-3093. </p><p>The $100 ticket also allows admission for two to the 16th Annual United Houma Nation Banquet that starts at 6 p.m. and includes entertainment by Louisiana Express Band and Johnny Allen. </p><p>The event will begin with a ceremony, followed by a meal and then a reception. The United Houma Nation will give five awards to “honor and recognize people who have demonstrated commitment and have gone above and beyond for the tribe,” Silver said. </p><p>The awards are:</p><p>- Cultural Preservation.</p><p>- Education.</p><p>- Advocate.</p><p>- Leadership.</p><p>“The fifth and top award for the evening is the Pioneer Award for those who have given a lifetime of service to the tribe and have dedicated their entire life. It's each of the other awards combined,” Silver said. </p><p>Three college scholarships worth $500 will also be given at the banquet. The financial aid is for tribal youth entering college. </p><p>“The raffle is, of course, very important to raise those funds we need for operation. So, for example, when people call there's someone to answer the phone and they don't get a recording,” United Houma Nations Chief Thomas Dardar said. “But besides the raffle, everybody works so hard during the year, and even though we're still working during this event, it is one way to get together and have a good time. We honor our outstanding citizens in the tribe who, throughout the year, have stepped up. The banquet gives us time to fellowship and eat and dance to the band. There are other times we get together, but this is a relaxing time for us to laissez les bons temps rouler.” </p><p>Staff Writer Kris Johnson can be reached at 857-2207 or kris.johnson@houmatoday.com. Follow her on Twitter @krisLjo.</p>